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Vanderbilt Health

Academic medical center providing patient care

Certified Surgical First Assist

Clinical Support & Patient AdministrationConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeNashville, TN, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • Graduate from an approved discipline-specific program, or successfully complete a surgical assistant training program during service as a member of a branch of the United States armed forces.
  • Have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • Be registered with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.
  • Hold one of the required certifications: Certified Surgical First Assistant from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; Certified Surgical Assistant from the National Surgical Assistant Association; Certified Surgical Assistant from the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants; or Surgical Assistant-Certified from the American Board of Surgical Assistants.
  • Demonstrate intermediate surgical equipment knowledge, including mastery of equipment and related devices, knowledge of performance criteria, ability to use equipment for advanced tasks, and ability to resolve equipment problems.
  • Demonstrate intermediate procedures knowledge, including the ability to independently deliver procedures knowledge services in difficult practical applications and to train and educate others through technical instruction and example.
  • Demonstrate intermediate operating room care knowledge and the ability to independently deliver operating room care services in difficult practical applications and to train and educate others.
  • Demonstrate intermediate environmental sterility and safety knowledge and the ability to independently deliver services in difficult practical applications and to train and educate others.
  • Demonstrate novice inventory management proficiency, including use of inventory tools and processes, monitoring materials moved into and out of stockroom locations, reconciling inventory balances, and working with electronic catalogs.
  • Demonstrate intermediate surgical technology knowledge and the ability to independently deliver results and provide instruction and leadership to others.
  • Demonstrate intermediate equipment maintenance knowledge, including the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems and conduct predictive maintenance on core products and equipment.
  • Preferred certification: Certified Surgical Technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants, or Tech in Surgery from the National Center for Competency Testing.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with operating-room preparation, setup, and cleanup as a member of the operating-room team.
  • Position patients to provide access to the operative site while maximizing patient safety and comfort.
  • Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment by applying aseptic principles to reduce the potential for patient infection.
  • Initiate intraoperative behaviors specific to first assisting.
  • Perform positioning, prepping, and draping of patients; provide hemostasis and wound exposure; and handle sutures and tissue under the direction and supervision of the operating surgeon.
  • Perform as a surgical technologist when not first assisting.
  • Carry out additional duties as assigned.
  • Serve as a team lead by providing expertise and guidance to team members.
  • Develop self and others to improve performance and build knowledge in new areas.
  • Maintain contact with colleagues and stakeholders to strengthen working relationships.
  • Adapt communication style to suit different group interactions and audiences.
  • Understand stakeholder needs and tailor services to address them.
  • Approach complex problems from different angles and develop concrete solutions.
  • Provide ongoing support and coaching to improve employees’ effectiveness.
  • Address quality issues promptly and apply learning to identify underlying causes and solutions.
  • Perform routine safety checks and meet safety and regulatory requirements.
  • Take ownership of critical issues and drive them to closure.
  • Manage departmental resources effectively and use data to identify opportunities.
  • Identify process-improvement opportunities, learn and apply new technologies and procedures, and adapt constructively to change.

Desired Qualifications

  • Certification from the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants as a Certified Surgical Technologist, or from the National Center for Competency Testing as Tech in Surgery.

About the Company

Vanderbilt Health

Academic medical center providing patient care

Vanderbilt Health runs a regional health system anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville, Tennessee. It delivers a broad spectrum of medical services—from primary care to specialized treatments—through hospitals and clinics across Middle Tennessee. The organization blends patient care with academic medicine, translating research into clinical practice and serving as a major training ground for medical professionals. Its competitive advantage comes from its strong research focus and academic affiliation with Vanderbilt University, attracting talent and patients seeking high-quality care. Revenue comes from clinical services, plus research grants and educational programs, with a goal of advancing medical knowledge while improving patient outcomes for the local and broader regional population.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
Nashville, TN
Founded
1875

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